Different Types
Of Bodyweight Exercises
Defined

I've read a lot of different books about bodyweight exercises. One of
the things that has left me a little unsatisfied however is definitions
of the various bodyweight exercises. Some are lacking whereas
others are at best incomplete. This is why I decided to create this
list of definitions below:

Calisthenics

I was actually having a hard time finding a good definition of
calisthenics until I went to good old Wikipedia.
This is where I found
this definition:

Calisthenics are a form of organized exercise consisting of a variety
of simple movements performed without weights or equipment that are
intended to increase body strength and flexibility using one's own body
for resistance.

Does this mean what Richard Simmons does is calisthenics? I don't think
so. Just jumping around doesn't count. For an exercise to be considered
calisthenic it must combine some form of your bodies gravitational pull
and leverage to supply resistance to your muscles. In mind exercises
like pushups as well as animal exercises like bear crawls count as
calisthenics.

Self Resistance or
Isotonic Exercises

These exercises use an opposing body part to supply resistance to the
muscles rather that using a physical weight. For example consider an
exercise like the biceps curl. Instead of curling a dumbbell you use
your opposite hand to resist the curling motion. Your muscle fibers
respond to resistance. It doesn't matter whether it's an actual weight
or something else.

Visualized Resistance

This one is hard to believe, but it works. Almost any muscle in your
body has an opposite, opposing muscle. For example your arm contains
the biceps, which will bend the arm at the elbow, and the triceps,
which will straighten it. The idea here is that if you want to work
your biceps you will perform a curling motion. However you will also
use your mind to tense your triceps muscles at the same time.

Like I said before your muscle fibers respond to resistance no matter
what kind of resistance it is. Another reason this can be so effective
is because it forces you to really focus your mind. Always remember it
is your MIND that works your muscles. When you are focused on the task
at hand and not letting your mind wander your workouts will be twice as
effective. This goes for any kind of exercise that you can think of.

Isometrics

The word "Isometric" comes from, where else, the Greek. "Iso" meaning
equal and "metric" meaning length or distance. Isometrics are any
exercise in which tension is applied to the muscle but there is no
actual movement. One way to practice it is to use self-resistance with
no movement. Another is to work your muscles against some object, again
with no movement.